Durability of Varnish

When you receive your furniture the finish is 80% cured. This is similar to cement, it is hard, protective, and ready to use right away, however it takes an additional 3-4 weeks for the final natural hardening of the surface. For the first three to four weeks in your home avoid heat and moisture to the surface.

Humidity

Humidity in home should be at 45%-55%. There will be natural movement of the wood, for a example a table top will show a small gap at certain times of the year, then it will close back up. This is a natural product, it is not plastic.

Abrasion and Scratching

The furniture finish is tough, but not bulletproof. There will be scratches and dents along the way if you use your furniture, but there are ways to avoid this. Do not slide items across furniture, make sure to lift and move. Sliding dishes or cups that have a rough bottom will scratch the surface. Make sure you put soft, protective pads underneath vases and decorative items. Keep your furniture free of dust. Dust particles, while small, can be abrasive. Remember, this is a durable surface, but even the toughest automobile finish will scratch with abrasion.

Wiping Up Spills & Water Rings

Blot up spills immediately. The surface finish provides a tight web of protection that makes most spills that would ruin a normal lacquer finish not a problem. However, moisture for an extended period of time can cause slight discolouration that, with time, will, in most cases disappear. Try to avoid this by blotting up any spills as soon as they happen.

Extreme Heat

Avoid placing hot items on the surface, especially in the first three to four weeks in your home. At any time you should never take anything out of a microwave or oven and put directly on surface. The average heat of a microwave is 99 degrees Celsius/211 degrees Fahrenheit.

Natural Darkening Will Occur With Solid Wood Furniture

Especially so with a natural or light finish. Make sure to rotate place mats or accessories often as the finish will catch up and even out with natural sunlight. Remember to rotate table leaves, as well. Table leaves that are always stored away from sunlight will not age the same as the rest of the table.

Cleaning & Polishing

Please do not clean or polish your furniture with products that contain silicone, wax or ammonia. These additives can damage varnish over time. Wax build-up on furniture will react to moisture, heat and solvent causing hazing or blushing that would not typically occur on a clean surface.

If you need a nice cleaner for your fine furniture we recommend Heirloom Essentials Spotless Wood and Glass Cleanser. It is formulated to remove dust, fingerprints, grease and residue from wood furniture, glass and hardware. Polish your fine furniture as often as you’d like with Heirloom Essentials Fine Furniture Polish to maintain the rich luster of your furniture and cabinetry. Available in a wide variety of fabulous fragrances, the Polish doubles as a home fragrance for hours after you polish.